Updated 12:21 pm, Thursday, July 2, 2015

Longnose gar stuck in a chain-link fence in Dallas, Texas. Ruzo said most of the gar stuck in fences were about two feet long.

Longnose gar stuck in a chain-link fence in Dallas, Texas. Ruzo said most of the gar stuck in fences were about two feet long.

Photo: Andrés Ruzo

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This is an example of just how many gar were getting stuck in fences as a result of flood waters. As of July 1, 2015, this photo of gar trapped in a chain-link fence has been seen over 1.5 million times on image sharing site Imgur. less

This is an example of just how many gar were getting stuck in fences as a result of flood waters. As of July 1, 2015, this photo of gar trapped in a chain-link fence has been seen over 1.5 million times on ... more

Photo: Imgur.com/Vb0eclK

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Let's revisit that first picture.

Let's revisit that first picture.

Photo: Andrés Ruzo

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You know this gar is dead but he still seems to be looking at you with its dead eyes.

You know this gar is dead but he still seems to be looking at you with its dead eyes.

Photo: Andrés Ruzo

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Looking deep into your soul...

Looking deep into your soul...

Photo: Andrés Ruzo

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And then you realize this gar died smiling.

And then you realize this gar died smiling.

Photo: Andrés Ruzo

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Here are 12 facts you need to know about the misunderstood alligator gar.

Here are 12 facts you need to know about the misunderstood alligator gar.

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Alligator gar can grow up to eight feet long and more than 300 pounds, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Alligator gar can grow up to eight feet long and more than 300 pounds, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Photo: Texas Parks And Wildlife Department

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The Texas record for largest alligator gar (not pictured) weighed 302 pounds when it was caught in 1953, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

That’s 25 pounds short of the world record, caught in Mississippi in 2011 (also not pictured).

In Texas, alligator gar primarily reside in East and South Texas, but also occupy a stretch of the Red River, according to a map provided by the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center.

In Texas, alligator gar primarily reside in East and South Texas, but also occupy a stretch of the Red River, according to a map provided by the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center.

Photo: Texas Parks And Wildlife Department

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Alligator gar – a freshwater fish – typically live in large rivers, reservoirs, coastal bays and backwaters, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Alligator gar – a freshwater fish – typically live in large rivers, reservoirs, coastal bays and backwaters, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

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There’s no exact population count in Texas, said Dave Buckmeier, research biologist for the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center in Mountain Home. but several large water systems such as the Choke Canyon Reservoir and portions of the Trinity River have thousands of alligator gars. less

There’s no exact population count in Texas, said Dave Buckmeier, research biologist for the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center in Mountain Home. but several large water systems such as the Choke ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of Ronny Smith

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Recent heavy rainfall and floods in Texas may actually cause a population spike among Texas’ alligator gar population.

Dave Buckmeier, research biologist for the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center, said alligator gars’ reproduction in large water systems can be tied to “flood pulses.” He said 2015 may be the first year since 2007 to see a boost in the gar population.

Full-grown alligator gars only have two predators, according to Dave Buckmeier, research biologist for the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center in Mountain Home: alligators, which are known to eat the gars, and humans. less

Full-grown alligator gars only have two predators, according to Dave Buckmeier, research biologist for the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center in Mountain Home: alligators, which are known to eat the ... more

Photo: Picasa

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In Texas, fishers are limited to bagging one alligator gar per day as a preservation measure, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

In Texas, fishers are limited to bagging one alligator gar per day as a preservation measure, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.